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Judaism
by Mikaila Mariel Lemonik Arthur
Encyclopedia Copyright © 2015, glbtq, Inc.
Entry Copyright © 2004, glbtq, inc.
Reprinted from http://www.glbtq.com
The history of Judaism spans thousands of years. It is comprised of many different denominations, and
adherents hold divergent opinions about almost every issue. Therefore, to understand the place of glbtq
people within Judaism, one must understand these divisions.
First of all, Judaism is divided ethnically into Sephardic Jews (those who trace their ancestry back to Spain,
Portugal, North Africa, and the Middle East) and Ashkenazic Jews (those who trace their ancestry back to
Germany and Eastern Europe). Additionally, there are Yemenite Jews (those who trace their ancestry to the
historic Holy Land), Ethiopian/Beta Israel/Falasha Jews (from Ethiopia), and Jews who have historically
lived in Asia (particularly India, China, and central Asian former Soviet republics). These regional divisions
have resulted in groups of Jews with different language traditions, different holiday practices, and
different versions of the scriptures.
Additionally, there are denominational differences. These differences are most pronounced in the Jewish
communities of the United States and Canada (with some appearance in Israel among those who have
moved to Israel from North America), where the Ashkenazic background is predominant.
Jewish Denominations
The major denominations are the following: Orthodoxy, Conservatism, Reform, and Reconstructionist.
Orthodoxy refers to a form of Judaism that follows all of the commandments and regulations of traditional
Jewish scripture (including the Torah, or Old Testament, and the Talmud, or Rabbinic commentaries). These
regulations include rules of holiday and Sabbath observances and dietary laws. Within Orthodoxy there are
a number of subdivisions, including the Modern Orthodox who follow these commandments within the
confines of a modern life (wearing contemporary clothing, for instance) and the Chasidim who wear the
clothing of eighteenth-century Eastern Europe and worship in a musical, ecstatic style.
Conservatism aims to strike a balance between traditional Judaism and the demands of the modern world.
For instance, the Conservative movement encourages the maintenance of Jewish dietary laws, the use of
Hebrew in study and worship, and the maintenance of traditional worship formats, while allowing the use
of cars and electricity on the Sabbath and insisting on equality between men and women.
Reform emphasizes the importance of individual decisions about commandments and observances and the
need for continuing change and revision of practice and belief over time. Although now many reform
congregations practice a more traditional style of worship (with perhaps more English and instrumental
music than Orthodox or Conservative congregations would use), historically they have been assimilative.
Reconstructionist focuses on Jewish spirituality. This movement treats Jewish scripture as the work of
people rather than of a supreme power (and does not take it literally in most cases), and de-emphasizes
the historic notion of the Jews as the chosen people. However, Reconstructionist Judaism does believe that
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certain traditions, for instance dietary laws, are worth preserving.
There are also some smaller and lesser-known denominations, including the Karaite Jews, who practice a
form of Judaism that does not believe in any rabbinical interpretations of the Torah, and Humanistic Jews,
who treat Judaism as a secular culture and the scriptures as a human literature to be studied.
Judaism and Glbtq People
Given such an incredible diversity of practice and opinion within Judaism, how do we begin to understand
the relationship between Judaism and glbtq people? Different denominations have vastly differing opinions
on both the inclusion of glbtq people into their communities and the tolerance that should be accorded
homosexual acts.
The only mention of homosexual acts in the Torah is in Leviticus 18:22, which reads "[d]o not lie with a man
as you would with a woman, since this is an abomination." This statement does not refer to homosexual
acts among women. Although this passage does condemn male homosexuality, it is merely one sentence in
the entire Torah. Under all but Orthodox interpretation of the Torah, many single sentences are treated as
relics from an earlier time that need to be reviewed in light of modern experience. Additionally, the
Hebrew term translated as "abomination," to'eva, is used in many other contexts, including the eating of
shellfish.
Orthodoxy, in its strict textual adherence, views homosexual behavior as immoral. The denomination's
teachings condemn homosexual acts, although lesbian acts have historically been less condemned than gay
male acts.
Glbtq individuals can not be ordained within the Orthodox movement. Even within Orthodoxy, however, the
homosexual act is an individual sin for which the individual him or herself must atone. Many congregations
practice a "love the sinner, hate the sin" attitude, though they oppose civil rights protections for glbtq
people (including civil commitment ceremonies, the acceptance of gays into the Boy Scouts, and equal
opportunity employment laws).
Conservative Judaism believes that homosexual sex is a sin, but separates this scriptural interpretation
from its political position. This denomination believes in civil rights for gays and lesbians and welcomes
glbtq people into congregations, youth groups, and schools.
In the Conservative movement, many decisions about the acceptance of glbtq people in areas of lay
leadership and education are left up to individual congregations, though the movement officially prohibits
the performance of commitment ceremonies. Finally, the admission of glbtq people to the clergy is
conducted with a "don't tell" policy, meaning that "out" individuals will not be accepted, but those who gain
entry will not be later excluded as a result of witch hunts. It is important to note that these policies were
adopted in 1992 and can be revised in the future, as the Conservative movement is open to the notion of
change.
Both the Reform and Reconstructionist movements have no prohibitions against ordaining openly gay and
lesbian clergy. In 2000, the Reform movement adopted a statement supporting the individual decisions of
clergy as to whether or not they were willing to officiate at commitment ceremonies. The Reconstructionist
movement supports same-sex marriage, not merely commitment ceremonies.
It is important to note that even within these denominations, agreement is far from universal. The
platforms represented here are those advocated by United States national organizations of rabbis and
congregations--the Orthodox Union, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Union of American Hebrew
Congregations (Reform), and Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, respectively.
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Many individual Jews, along with members of the clergy and particular congregations, disagree with these
platforms and choose to act on their own personal opinions. Rarely, if ever, would a congregation or rabbi
be disciplined for this choice, and individuals are not excommunicated.
For instance, there are some congregations that function as traditional Conservative ones but have rabbis
willing to perform commitment ceremonies. Additionally, some Orthodox leaders veer away from the rigid
position of the Orthodox Union. For instance, noted Orthodox Jewish sex expert Shmuley Boteach, while
not condoning homosexual acts, finds the singular focus on homosexuality as an abomination to be an
exaggeration.
Orthodoxy has additionally faced criticism because of the fact that glbtq people suffered a fate similar to
that of Jews during the Holocaust and many Jews believe that this shared history should make Jews more
sympathetic to glbtq civil rights.
Gay-Friendly Congregations
Finally, there are some congregations that are notably gay-friendly. Most of these are not affiliated with
any particular denomination so that they can offer a wide array of worship styles for members who come
from diverse backgrounds; others are Reform or Reconstructionist.
Among the best known of these congregations are Congregation Beth Simchat Torah in New York City
(founded in 1973), Congregation Etz Chaim in South Florida (founded in 1974), Congregation Or Chadesh in
Chicago (founded in 1976), Congregation Beth Ahavah in Philadelphia, Congregation Keshet Shalom in
Toronto, and Congregation Sha'ar Zahav in San Francisco (founded in 1977).
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About the Author
Mikaila Mariel Lemonik Arthur is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Rhode Island College. Her research
focuses on the emergence of academic programs in queer studies, Asian American studies, and women's
studies in colleges and universities in the United States.
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